Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

"Master, how can we expect the eldest son's family to pay twenty taels of silver when we divide the family property?"

That's too little. It should be at least thirty taels of silver.

Wang interjected.

"Grandma, you don't want our eldest branch of the family to live, do you?"

You're asking for thirty taels right off the bat. Do you think our family can afford thirty taels of silver?

Are you planning to sell all three of us siblings?

Otherwise, how could I have scraped together thirty taels of silver for you?

Liu Tiezhu couldn't hold back any longer; this old woman was really going too far.

Liu Tiechui clenched his fist and said indignantly, "Grandpa, you can't listen to Grandma."

In short, our eldest son's family could not possibly come up with thirty taels of silver.

Fourth Uncle is well-educated; he's a scholar and the future face of the Liu family. We can all understand that.

"You all favor him and want to elevate him alone, and even your grandson has nothing to say. But if you want to sacrifice all of us from the eldest branch of the family to benefit him, we will absolutely not agree."

Grandma was really too much; she had absolutely no affection for the eldest branch of the family.

"Liu Tiezhu, Liu Tiechui, you two little brats, shut up!"

When did I say I was going to sell you out?

Don't just spout nonsense. Are you hoping we brothers will get married?

And what business is it of yours if your elders are speaking?

I'm not discussing this with you; I'm reminding your grandfather.

Wang started acting like an elder again.

Tao'er looked coldly at Liu Laogen, then slowly asked, "Grandpa, should we do it your way or Grandma's way?"

Who's in charge between you two?

Give me a definite answer so I can be prepared.

"Mother of the child, shut up!"

Don't talk nonsense.

Liu Laogen scolded.

This idiot, all he does is cause trouble. If he angers this crazy girl, he won't get a single penny.

After saying that, he turned to Tao'er, who was sitting there, and said, "What your grandmother says doesn't count; everything is according to what I say."

According to what I just said.

If you agree, I'll send someone to invite the village head over.

Just as Tao'er was about to say something, Liu Jiaojiao interrupted, "Father, you forgot about the grain."

The eldest son's family has separated from the rest of the family, so they are no longer entitled to receive grain from you every year.

Food must be supplied monthly, lest they try to renege!

"Yes, yes, old man, we definitely need to increase the grain allowance, and silver too. Three taels of silver a year is not enough!"

We're getting old, and illnesses cost money.

"At least five taels of silver a year."

Wang immediately followed up with her statement.

Oh dear, my daughter is so clever; they almost forgot.

Liu Laogen coughed twice, "Hmm, Jiaojiao's reminder is good. My head is buzzing, and I almost forgot the most important thing."

Each month, your main household will receive 50 jin of brown rice, 30 jin of refined rice, and 20 jin of cornmeal.

"One hundred catties of grain a month isn't much for us two old folks!"

Everyone was shocked, not expecting the old man to dare to ask for polished rice, since polished rice is much more expensive than brown rice.

Tao'er sneered: This old man really dares to talk. It may not seem like much for the two of them to need 100 catties a month, but 30 catties of fine rice will cost a lot of money.

The abacus beads were practically jumping off her face.

"Grandpa, you've done a really meticulous job with these accounts."

Tao'er stood up slowly and patted her shirt.

Then he explained in detail, "One hundred catties of grain a month, thirty catties of refined rice, that's three hundred and sixty catties of refined rice a year."

The market price of refined rice is twelve coins per catty, and the annual cost of refined rice alone is four ounces, three qian, and two fen.

Brown rice costs eight coins per pound. Fifty pounds a month would cost four ounces and eight mace of silver a year.

Cornmeal costs nine coins per pound. Twenty pounds a month would amount to about two ounces and six cents of silver a year.

In total, the cost of grain alone would amount to a considerable sum of money per year.

She counted on her fingers, calculating each word clearly, and the faces of the people in the room turned paler inch by inch as she spoke.

Even the usually shrewish third son and his wife felt embarrassed.

Because this request is really absurd.

"Adding to what you just mentioned, the five taels of silver a year for retirement, that's over ten taels."

Grandpa, now that our eldest son's family has been separated, are you planning to give us a few acres of land?

"If we don't give anything and still have to take all this out, then our eldest son's family will starve to death as soon as we leave, do you believe me?"

Tao'er raised her head and looked straight at Liu Laogen.

As Liu Tiezhu listened to his wife's calculations, his eyes reddened. He gritted his teeth and remained silent, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Luckily, the younger sister was good at accounting; otherwise, the two brothers wouldn't have been able to figure out how much money they had.

The crowd whispered among themselves, all saying

Liu Tiechui, with his fiery temper, slammed his hand on the table and stood up: "Grandpa!"

You're going to kill us!

How much does my older brother earn in a month doing odd jobs in town?

And how much silver I can earn by hunting and selling it.

"You just casually throw around ten taels of silver, how are our whole family supposed to survive on air all year round?"

"What are you yelling about!"

Wang slammed her hand on the table, making the woman wince in pain and look utterly pathetic.

"You two brothers are young and strong, why are you afraid of not being able to make money?"

And will your parents be unable to do any farm work in the future?

I can't believe it!

We, the two of us, raised him to adulthood, what's wrong with us asking for some retirement money now?

And you two bastards, you're heartless little beasts!

"Pooh!

What have you guys done to support my dad?

I heard from the villagers that my father started gathering pig feed and digging wild vegetables for the family when he was three years old.

I have never worn a new piece of clothing.

He had never had a full meal.

Liu Tiechui spat fiercely at the ground.

Tao'er ignored Wang Shi and stared at Liu Laogen: "Grandpa, I have only one question for you. Are you going to separate the eldest son's family today, or are you going to force the eldest son's family to their death?"

If you're truly sincere about separating the family, then let's talk it out!

Liu Laogen felt a chill run down his spine under Tao'er's gaze. He opened his mouth, instinctively wanting to assert his authority as the head of the family, but when he met Tao'er's clear, bright eyes, he swallowed his words back.

At this moment, Liu Erniu, the second son of the Liu family who had been hiding in the corner without saying a word, suddenly spoke up: "Dad, what my sister-in-law said makes sense."

The eldest son's family is already struggling financially; they really can't afford to pay this much.

What do you know!

You traitor! Have you forgotten who gave you the betrothal gifts when you married your wife?

You're not on our side, you're only on your older brother's.

Liu Sanniu shrank back and remained silent.

Tao'er sneered and turned to look at Liu Laogen: "Grandpa, how about this, I'll compromise too."

Separation of the family is fine, but I can't possibly contribute five taels of silver a year for retirement.

The grains provided are 50 catties of brown rice and 20 catties of cornmeal per month.

Polished rice?

Our eldest son's family can't even afford to eat fine rice, so we can't provide it for you.

As for the silver, it will be twenty taels, as you previously stated.

If you agree, I'll have my older brother go and invite the village head.

If you don't agree, then forget it!

Tao'er's voice was light and airy, yet it made everyone in the room prick up their ears.

As long as they can separate the family sooner, she'll give them twenty taels at once; she doesn't need it anyway.

She had previously thought that she would have to come up with another idea when the family divided the property.

Fortunately, Liu Tianbao came back to make this trip.

"What three taels of silver? There's not even a bit of fine rice. They only give you brown rice and cornmeal."

You brat, even if we're splitting up the family, it's not your place to decide.

You're clearly trying to starve me and your grandfather to death."

Wang was furious, then turned to Liu Laogen and said, "Old man, you can't let this girl run wild. It's such a big deal to divide the family property, how can you let a teenage girl like her do whatever she wants?"

Let's call the boss over.

Wang thought that her eldest son was always honest and simple, and would definitely agree to the conditions they offered.

Liu Laogen hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Tiezhu, Tiechui, you two brothers go and help your father to the main room. Tell him we have something important to discuss."

Liu Tiezhu and his brother glanced at their sister, and Tao'er nodded.

The two brothers then turned around and left the main room.

"Third brother, go and invite the village head over. Tell him that our family is going to split up."

The third brother, Liu Sanniu, responded and went to fetch the village head.